Video Premiere: Rookes – ‘The Heel Of My Hand’

Feast your eyes on the sharp new visuals from Rookes for thier latest single ‘The Heel Of My Hand’. The song is about losing the first woman she ever loved, which she describes as a “catalytic experience”. The shoot itself was completed in 12 hours at a studio in Dalston, with a cast and crew of just six people.

“I had to adapt to a lot of change very quickly, as well as attempt to process my sexuality – which I had been avoiding for a long time in strange and elaborate ways,” explains Rookes. “We made a story thread with my playing instruments a priority too. This is very significant to me, as I play all my live shows solo with multiple instruments, and I think it’s really important for girls and young women to see that”.

We admire Rookes’ insight and energy, both of which are clearly displayed in the video for ‘Heel Of My Hand’. She’s committed to changing perceptions about women in music too: “There is a stereotype out there that most women in the music industry are usually vocalists or backing vocalists, and it needs to die. The only way that’s going to happen is when people see more women doing other things on stage than just singing”.

Watch her new video below and follow Rookes on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Introducing Interview: Indian Queens

Born and raised in Hackney Wick, London trio Indian Queens have no issue with talking about the way their surroundings have influenced them as people and as a band. Jennifer, Katherine & Matt create thoughtful, atmospheric sounds reminiscent of bands like Warpaint and Radiohead (who the band have a mutual love for). We caught up with guitarist and vocalist Jennifer to talk about their upcoming release with Cool Thing Records, what inspired their previous track ‘Us Against The World’, their anticipations for their gig at St Pancras Old Church, and most importantly: pre-gig pizza and prosecco…

Hello Jennifer, for anyone who doesn’t know, how did Indian Queens come to be?
Me and Katherine are sisters, so we go way back and we grew up round the corner from Matt. We have a mutual love for Radiohead and equal addiction to salted popcorn and Jameson whiskey – preferably all together.

Your upcoming single ‘I Get No Rest’ is due to be released in November. Can you tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind this track? I’m particularly interested in where the lyric “Free, as long as you obey” came from…
The track is a soundtrack to a late dark night in London. I could see a single picture in my mind that sparked the lyrics to this track. I also wrote them during a massive political shift in this country.

This track actually took us ages to complete. We had all the parts but just couldn’t fit it together.Then Brexit happened, and a general election – neither of which I agreed with. Then in particular to London, Grenfell Tower happened – and it felt like a lot of rich ‘important’ people were taking the piss out most of our lives.

Free, as long as you obey”. To me this feels like how most of the world turns and it’s not a bandwagon I want to jump on. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impossible not to in a lot of respect. But it fucked me off.

I listened to your previous single ‘Us Against The World’ too, and it struck me that independence is a theme in both songs. Would you agree? Is independence something you are conscious of when writing and releasing new music?
It is very important to me. There is also a massive disproportion of men and women in the music industry, which is thankfully changing. I feel that it’s allowing women to have a new sense of independence. After all it’s not as though we can’t have the same roles, we just weren’t given the opportunity. Girl power!

‘Us Against The World’ can be about you and anyone. When time starts speeding up it’s a comfort to have someone on your side. That childhood feeling that it’s us against the world. That nostalgic feeling that you’re invincible. That was what that track was about.

You’re now a part of the Cool Thing Records family. How did you hear about the label, and how are things going so far?
We met Mike (Asylums bassist/Cool Thing Co-Founder) years back when we were all playing in different bands, so we can really relate as musicians and songwriters. We also love their DIY approach, and it felt very natural to be releasing through them.

You’re playing a headline show at St Pancras Old Church on November 29th. What are your anticipations for this gig?
I can’t wait! It’s such a beautiful venue. We have an amazing support too, another East London female based band called Wyldest.

Do you have any pre-show rituals to help calm your nerves before you play live?
Prosecco and Pizza!

As a new music blog who promote women in music, we were wondering what new music/female artists you’ve been listening to lately. Any suggestions?
An amazing Oxford band we know called Candy Says. They do film soundtracks too which is sooo cool! Another female artist on our record label called Beckie Margaret is doing really beautiful stuff.

What does the rest of 2017 hold for Indian Queens?
We are getting new tracks mixed at the moment towards our album out next year, so very excited to get those back.

Finally, if you had to sum up your music in three words, what would they be?
Too Damn Serious 🙂 haha

Huge thanks to Jennifer for answering our questions. You can buy tickets for Indian Queens’ gig at St Pancras Old Church here. Follow Indian Queens on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Nasty Little Lonely – ‘Ugly Vitamin’

Bristol Noise Rockers Nasty Little Lonely have released their belting new single ‘Ugly Vitamin’ via Liverpool based label Loner Noise, and it’s an incredible aural assault that seethes with menacing guitar riffs and filthy bass lines.

The band blend elements of industrial music and noise rock to create their dark and heavy sounds, and have supported the likes of The Wytches, Part Chimp, God Damn, Bo Ningen and Lydia Lunch. Recorded and Mixed by Wayne Adams of Death Pedals and Big Lad (formerly Shitwife), ‘Ugly Vitamin’ “bristles with muscular energy and a looming tension”.

Together, guitarist Ben Fisher, bassist Charlie B, and drummer Martin G perform with an intensity that has to be witnessed live in the flesh to be fully appreciated. Check out the new track below and follow the band on Facebook for future gig updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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INTERVIEW: Queen Zee & The Sasstones

Since we first heard the warped pop sounds of Queen Zee & The Sasstones, all we wanted to do was lay in a bath tub full of red wine and listen to their EP, Eat My Sass – watch the video for single ‘Boy’ below and you’ll feel the same. We had a quick chat with front person Queen Zee about how the band started out, what inspired their latest recording and the mix of “adoration and bemusement” they receive from live crowds…

Hello Queen Zee & The Sasstones. For anyone who doesn’t know, can you tell us how the band came to be?
Myself and Em met at a black metal show for both our solo projects. I uploaded some demos six months later under the Queen Zee moniker, Em didn’t like them but said we should start a band anyway…

Your latest EP Eat My Sass is out now. What kinds of reactions have you had from fans and critics about the EP? 
It’s been great, as a collection of songs they’re old and new, so it’s great to finally get those older songs out there while also showcasing our new material like ‘Boy’.

On a surface level, you can throw yourself around to the EP completely carefree on a dance floor, but your lyrics – especially on ‘Boy’ – highlight the dangers faced by trans people who have been the subject of trans and/or homophobic abuse. Do you write from experience?
I think all trans people are exposed to the abuse written about on ‘Boy’. On one level, yes ‘Boy’ comes from my resentment to how I’ve personally been treated. But I’m nothing special, all trans people experience the same hate.

Is the EP your way of dealing with and shouting back at those who have tried to silence or physically hurt you?
Art is in general, my art is my catharsis. It’s my rage, my passion, my love, my hate. So on some level, yes it’s my aggression. 

Your video for ‘Boy’ looks incredible. Tell us a little about the shoot: How much red wine did you consume? Would you recommend bathing in it to your fans?
Not enough wine. It was a very fun day, we were very tipsy. I wouldn’t recommend it though, the bathroom still stinks. We did it so fans don’t have too.

I’m a big fan of Courtney Love, and I noticed your reference to her on ‘I Hate Your New Boyfriend’. Are you a fan of her too?
Yeah I’m a huge Hole fan, ‘Violet’ is my jam.

You’re currently touring the UK and you played Reading & Leeds Festivals earlier this year too. What reactions have you had from the crowds so far?
It’s a mix of adoration and bemusement. Reading & Leeds was fun, people go feral when you put them in a field for three days.

Can you name a gig that was particularly memorable?
Playing with Venom Prison was fun, they’re a great death metal band. So this metal fan base turn up, loads of big dudes with beards and Neurosis shirts and we’re like “fucckkkkk” in our sparkly leggings absolutely bricking it. Two songs in the crowd’s going mad, the kit got crowd surfed, lapping it up, ended  up being one of the best shows we’ve ever done. Hopefully we’ll get to do a Venom Prison / Queen Zee tour one day.

As a blog dedicated to promoting women and non-binary artists in new music, we’d like to know if there are any female-fronted/non-binary artists you could recommend to us?
I really dig Babe Punch, who are our buddies from Nottingham. The new Marmozets record is a killer as well, we’re off on tour with them this month.

Finally, what’s next for Queen Zee & The Sasstones?
Wrap up this tour and head off for some studio time. Which may or may not result in more music next year…

Thanks to Queen Zee for answering our questions. Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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